MIZZLING MOODS
There are some destinations that bring out the pluviophile in you.
Let the stormy winds ruffle your hair as you travel to these places
When the gods empty their buckets from heaven, do not run in
doors. Let the raindrops play hopscotch on your skin. Let the stormy winds
ruffle your hair. Sing. Hop over puddles. Walk in the rain. Cities look
different in rain. Drenched landscapes have their own joys. Be Miss Squelchy Shoes.
Goa: Sun. Sand. Beaches. That's so passé in Goa. Head to the
country's smallest state during the rains. No hordes of tourists. No
mindblowing hotel tariff. Just fat raindrops and all things green. Pack your
picnic hamper and drive to Dudhsagar Falls that froth white with rain. Quite
unlike other states, the wildlife sanctuaries stay open in Goa. Go dolphin and
crocodile cruising. Have a beach all to yourself. Eat patoleo, a riceco Mon
conutjaggery sweet made onl during rains. By the time you read this, Goa will
have sea planes, hot air balloon and amphibious vehicles for a spin around
town.
BRIDGE MADE OF LIVING ROOTS
Cherrapunjee: Once upon a time it was the wettest place on earth.
When it rained, it poured. An annual rainfall of 11,872 millimetres and a
monsoon longer than rest of India.That wettest place tag has been stolen by its
neighbour Mawsynram. But Cherrapunjee is still wet. And pretty. Walk to the
view point and watch a million waterfalls hurtle down the mountains. Pick cinnamon
sticks. Orange honey. Orchids. Crawl into Mawsynram caves, the only lit cave in
the northeast. If you are in the mood for adventure, trek to the Living Root
Bridges bridges made of living roots of the ficus elastica tree. They are not
found anywhere else in the world.
PURPLE RAINY LANDSCAPE
Valley of Flowers: This one calls for an arduous trek to the Nanda
Devi National Park in Uttarakhand. You cannot camp there.Think of it as a day
trip. Just carry water.Food. A rain poncho. A pair of beefy lungs as well.
Because the highest point is 6,719 metres above sea level. You'll huff and puff
and stop to catch a breath. But when you step into the hanging valley, it is
the jaw that you will drop first. Wild alpine flowers. Miles and miles of it.
As far as your eyes can see. Red. Purple. Pink. Blue. Yellow. Flowers peeping
out of a green grassy floor. As if gods sat with Auguste Renoir and painted the
flowery rainy landscape.EIFFEL IN NIGHT DRIZZLE Paris: Heard of the movie, If
It's Tuesday, This Must Be Belgium? Tweak it. If it rains, it should be Paris.
Who says Mr Eiffel looks the handsomest in sunlight? Meet him when it rains at
night. The gig lamps shimmer and the light refracts through the raindrops. Do
not stand too close. Look at Eiffel from far. You'll get wet. But Eiffel in the
rain is worth a drench.Want to stay dry? Shop at 19th century Paris' 25 covered
passageways without bothering about the umbrellas turning inside out. Go to
Marche des Enfants Rouges, Paris' oldest market (created in 1628). And, yes, do
not forget to listen to The Waterboys' Paris in the Rain.
MOTHER NATURE'S LASER SHOW
Lake Maracaibo, Venezuela: There is beauty in Venezuela's air it
produces the prettiest women. But when it rains, nothing beats Mother Nature's
spectacular laser show in Laka Maracaibo. A lighting laser show that creates
magic in the cloudygrey sky. This Vegas-style laser show gone wild can go on
for 10 hours a day and up to 280 times an hour. In this stormy place, this
natural light and sound show has been going on uninterrupted for centuries.
Known as Catatumbo lightning, it starts before dusk and is considered to be the
world's largest single generator in the tropospheric ozone. Sit by the lake.
Forget the umbrella. And the ear muff. Stare at the sky. For hours. And hours.
WILDLIFE SAFARI
Daintree National Park, Australia: Among the most ancient
ecosystems on earth is Daintree National Park, a Wet Tropics World Heritage
Area (near the Great Barrier Reef). It is here that two of the planet's richest
ecosystems converge. During monsoon, Daintree acquires a mystical allure.Nearly
18,000 plant species come alive and the astounding array of animal species is
to be seen to be believed cassowary, crocodile, giant blue Ulysses butterfly,
secretive BenNerley nett's tree kangaroo. Make Port Douglas your base for the
monsoon wildlife safaris.
FUNKY RAIN-VENTIONS
Foot umbrellas: Imagine the paper umbrella that sits perched on
your martini glass. Think of a slightly larger size.A longer alloy stick. Just
stick the foot umbrella to the nose of your shoe. You will never be Miss
Squelchy Shoes again Necktie-umbrellas: Phone. Bag. Ticket. Umbrellas. And just
two hands. Opt for the necktie umbrella that you can wear around the neck. Pull
it out when the first raindrop falls Nubrella (Rain helmets): This one is
actually like a helmet.Large. With no handles. Like a big bubble. Just wear it
over your head Bear rain caps: Maison Michel raddest hat is the transparent
rain cap with black trim and two bearish ears.Add to it a visor Bicycle rain
poncho: It covers you head to toe + the kitten in the bike basket.
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Preeti Verma Lal
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TL13SEP15
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